One year after flood, Shipoke neighborhood still recovering

Historic district hit hard by flooding

Nearly one year after major flooding damaged homes in Shipoke, one of Harrisburg's historic neighborhoods is still recovering.

Many residents were forced out of their homes for months due to the disaster.

Some homes are still dark. Signs for sale remain out front of others

"It's been a change. People have come and go. Some people didn't come back after the flood of last September," said Shipoke resident Michael Snyder.

Snyder said his new neighbors have fit right in and there are a lot of renters now.

Shipoke resident Amanda Oliver said she misses the homeowners.

"It's really sad," Oliver said. "Just walking around the block at night realizing houses that were dark, it's just shocking. Nobody that knows anything about the area wants to live down here."

Shipoke is often the first neighborhood to flood and many residents said they have been through more than one.

"Some people just don't want to go through it again," said Shipoke resident Elsa Swenning.

Not only have residents moved out, but Char's Bella Munda, a once popular restaurant, has too. The building is for sale or lease. The real estate agent said it has been on the market for at least six months and she feels the flood is one reason it hasn't moved. She said the other reason the economic downturn.

Oliver said there are more reasons why people have left and are leaving. She said she is not happy with the schools or crime rate in Harrisburg.

"You feel trapped. Our best hope is my husband's company transfers him and they buy us out," Oliver said.

Not everyone wants to leave the neighborhood.

"Where else will you get a view like this every night and every morning," said Snyder.

Some homeowners also said they felt frustrated waiting for insurance reimbursements for repairs, after the flood.

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